Enjoy the weather while you can

By Dale Lezon |
April 16, 2013
| Updated: April 16, 2013 8:46am

A few more days of unseasonable, sticky heat are expected in the Houston region, but a powerful, fast-moving cold front is likely to arrive later in the week.

The Norther, coming from the Rockies, is expected to hit sometime Thursday afternoon, sparking showers and thunderstorms and briefly dropping temperatures to below normal for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters said some of the thunderstorms could be severe with high winds and drenching downpours. However, they added, most spots may get between about a quarter-inch and half-inch of rainfall. The front will help drop recent high humidity.

"It's going to be humid for a few days, but a fairly strong cold front comes Thursday afternoon," said Lance Wood, a meteorologist with the weather service. "That's when it's really going to change."

On Tuesday, the high will top out near 86 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Patchy fog may be possible before about 7 a.m. Southeast winds will be between 5 mph and 15 mph. The overnight low will be about 73.

Normally, temperatures range between about 59 and 80 degrees this time of year.

More heat and clouds are likely Wednesday. The high will be about 85 degrees. Breezy southeast winds will be 10 mph to 20 mph. A 20 percent chance of showers may be possible. The low will be about 73.

A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is possible on Thursday as the front pushes through the area. Wood said the best chance of rainfall will probably be after about 1 p.m. when the front races through the region. Wood said it was too early to determine if the front will dump heavy rainfall as it arrives, but the best chances for severe weather may be north of Houston.

The high will be near 82 under mostly cloudy skies. South winds will be between 10 mph and 15 mph and will become northwesterly in the afternoon with gusts up to 20 mph. Rain chances drop slightly at night to about 40 percent. The overnight low will be near 48 degrees as cool air filters into the region.

Clear, sunny skies are expected on Friday. The high will be near 69. The low will be about 43. No rain is forecast.

The weekend will probably be mild and sunny, though the mercury will likely climb slightly. The highs Saturday and Sunday will be in the lower to mid-70s. The lows will be in the lower to upper 50s.